Vapor electric apparatus.



J. T. H. DEMPSTER. VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 1904.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. H. DEMPSTER, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR- TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4.1911

Application filed April 21, 1904. Serial No. 204,178.

is a specification.

My present invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and operation of vapor electric apparatus, and

I makes use of the dynamic action or force exertedby the vapor particles or ions in their passage along the arc path. The kinetic energy of these particles, ions, or whatever else there-may be, is utilized in the present instance as a circuit controlling means.

The novel features characteristic of the in vention I have pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.- The inventionitself, however, will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 represents one embodiment of my invention, Fig. 2 a detail, and Fig. 3 a modified form.

My invention may be embodied in various types of apparatus, such, for example, as vapor lamps, rectifiers or the like. As illustrative of one of the numerous embodiments which my invention may assume I represent in Fig. l a mercury vapor lamp. The exhausted envelop or container of the lamp consists as shown, of a tube 1, of indefinite length, Slll'll'lOUIli'Otl by an enlargement or bulb 2 constituting the condensing chamber. A graphite, iron. or other anode 3 is supported in a usual manner at the mouth of the condensing chamber and is connected electrically to a. supply lead 4. A body of mercury 5 contained in the lower endoi the tube 1 serves as a cathode and is electrically connected to the external circuit of the lamp by means of a leading-in conductor (3. For the purpose of starting the lamp I provide a filament 7 of carbon or other suitable material, the lower end of which, before the lampis started, dips into the mercury 5. This filament is supported from a sort of platform or-disk 8 which in turn is supported from a lateral projection 9 carried by the wall of .the tube 1. The filament is prevented from lateral displacement by means of anchoring devices or guides 10 and 11 provided with openings through which the filament loosely passes. The upper end of the filament 7 is provided with a coiled portion 12 which loosely surrounds a stationary piece of iron 13 supported by a bracket 1 from the wall of the lamp. Electrical connection is made from the positive lead l through a loading-in conductor 15 to the upper end of the filament 7. The manner of making this connection will be somewhat clearer upon reference to F ig. 2. This leading-in conductor 15 is joined to a metal ring 16 which, with the exception of its upper surface, is entirely inclosed by insulating material, either glass, enamel, or the like. The shank 17', which carries the platform 8, is of metal, and is provided with a head 18 which rests, in the position shown. upon the surface of the ring 1-6. In this position it will be clear that when current is applied to the lamp it will fiow from the lead t through the filament 7 to the lower electrode The current flowing in the filament then causes the helix 152 to contract. This contraction, which is greatly assisted by the presence of the iron 13, causes the lowerend of the filament to be lifted out of engagement with the mercury 5. An incipient arc is then formed which extends immediately up the tube to the anode 3. The are or discharge is somewhat similar, in one of its properties, toa draft or blast of air or other fluid, and acts upon the platform 8 to force the same upward. The head 18 then moves out of engagement with the ring 16 and thus cuts the filament out of circuit. The parts may be constructed so that at the same time the lower end of the filament is lifted out of the mercury. 5. though this is not necessary.

The lamp shown in Fig. 3 differs from that of Fig. l in having a dilt'crcnt starting device. in this. case the filament 19 is straight throughout its length and is supported (lircctly.t'ron1 the device 20 of prac: tically the same construction as that shown in Fig. 2. The lower end of the filann-ut 19 dips in a mercury cup formed in the top of a floating armature or core 21. is within the magnetic influence of a solenoid 22 and, when the solenoid is energized by turning current on to the lamp, is drawn down beneath the surface of the mercury This core electrode 23. This movement breaks contact with the lower end of the filament 19 and, by reason of the incipient are thus produced,

starts the lamp. The-draft of the vapor up \the filament and cuts it out of circuit at loothv ends. I

It is evident that numerous modifications may be made in the embodiments of my invention for which reason I do not wish to be limited to the exact device shown and described.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a vapor electric apparatus, thecombination of a container, electrodes therefor, and circuit controlling means in the container actuated by the draft or bombardment produced by the vapor particles in the are path.

2. In a vapor electric'apparatus, means for producing an are or vapor path between the electrodes of the apparatus, and circuit controlling means actuated by kinetic energy derived from the are.

3. In a vapor electric apparatus, the combination of a container, electrodes therefor, a filament extending along the path between said electrodes, and means actuated by the force of the are or vapor discharge for cutting said filament out of circuit.

4. In a vapor electric apparatus, the combination of a container, electrodes therefor, starting means for said apparatus and a movable device cooperating with said starting means and actuated by the draft or bombardment of vapor particles in the are 1 Withdraw said device from contact with the mercliry, and means within said container for cutting said are starting device out of circuit.

(3. The combination of a container, electrodes therefor, a filament within the container, electrically connected with both elcctrodes, means for striking an are between the electrodes and means actuated by said are for electrically disconnecting the filament when said are is established.

7. The combination of a container, electrodes therefor, a filament in contact with one of the electrodes, a portion of the length of the filament being coiled, and means actuated by kinetic energy of the are between the electrodes for cutting the filament out of circuit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of April, 1901.

JOHN T. H. DEMISIER.

lVitnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN Onronn. 

